A new mural has expanded the artistic landscape of downtown Olympia. Ravens Chasing the Moon now appears on the Franklin Street side of Altitude 15, a soon-to-open cooperative food court located on the corner of State and Franklin. Far more than a mural, this artwork adds to the cultural lexicon of artistic storytelling in the heart of our community.
Cowlitz tribal artist Sarah Folden worked with Chehalis tribal artist Jenee Redecker-Burnett to paint this iconic image in the contemporary Coast Salish tradition, Sarah and Jenee also brought on several youth apprentices, with each young painter coming from different native ancestry. As they painted, they received thanks from many passersby, some of whom simply appreciate public art, as well as many who recognized what is often called, Co-Salish imagery — the art of Salish peoples who have lived in the Salish Sea region, aka Puget Sound, for thousands of years.
“I’ve found my calling — a responsibility, to use my creativity to highlight our indigenous presence through public artwork on the Northwest’s canvas. I hope to honor our ancestors and the generations to come. Being Cowlitz means Awakening to our Medicine Spirit, and this is mine,” Folden said.
Folden’s work can be found all along what is historically known as the Cowlitz Trail, a trading route that ran from the mouth of the Columbia River all the way up to Canada. The overland portage started in Toledo’s Port on the Cowlitz River up to the area now known as the Tumwater Falls Park, where the Deschutes River flows into the Salish Sea. She hopes to create more art along the Cowlitz Trail to illuminate this powerful history.
Her artwork includes major commissions from ArtsWA, formerly known as the Washington State Arts Commission, to smaller projects like Olympia’s mural funded by Rainbow Community Arts. In Vancouver, Folden lead a team of young Cowlitz artists to paint murals on every floor of the Housing Authority’s project known as Nam u gas that provides youth housing for people transitioning out of foster care. In Seattle, Sarah created a six-panel series of murals for the City’s Waterfront Park. Folden’s work can also be found in the Cowlitz Tribe’s Ilani resort and hotel, where she created chandeliers based on native hand drums. And now her work has a presence in Olympia.
Art was always part of who Folden was. Following a career in tribal fisheries, she turned a corner in her life to become more centered on making art. To make this transition, Folden studied with Indigenous artists Peter Boome and Brian Perry to learn Coast Salish design.
Folden acknowledged the power of what she learned through her mentoring relationships with Boome and Perry by creating mentoring relationships of her own. A significant part of her work involves teaching youth about Coast Salish arts.
She often includes youth apprentices, as this mural did. One of the youth painters, Lola Lains e Silva (17 years old) said, “I am honored to be part of a project that beautifies our community and hopefully inspires conversations regarding culture and the arts.”
Artists Jenee Redecker stated, “This was an amazing project to get to be part of. I have a lot of respect for Sarah as an artist, and on this project, I got to contribute a bit of my culture as a member of the Chehalis Tribe. But more important than that, we got to bring multiple generations together on a project to welcome people to this area, and it was exciting to be part of that.”
For several years, Folden had looked for a place to create her art in Olympia. While the City of Olympia had commissioned one of her pieces to appear on a utility box, many people considered the majestic image to be lost in the four-sided presentation. Once she connected with Rainbow Community Arts, Folden finally found a home to present this artwork as a landscape of storytelling. The location was ideal — an East facing wall that is illuminated by the rising sun and close to the Bus Station which ensures that people of all walks of life can see this every day as they go about their lives.
Folden spoke about how she found her calling, a responsibility to use her creativity to highlight our indigenous presence through her public artwork on the Northwest’s canvas, “I seek to honor my ancestral connection and the generations to come.” Through her use of vibrant color and elemental motifs deeply rooted in oral tradition and inspired by the natural world around us all, “I paint stories to honor our past while also creating a reminder of our thriving presence here. I believe that art has the power to share complex thoughts and emotions, engages a diverse audience, breaks barriers and inspires good stewardship of this place we call home. Being Cowlitz means awakening to our Medicine Spirit and this is mine.”
Food court owners, Cher and Mike Hobbick immediately knew they wanted this powerful mural on the side of their building, “Sarah’s piece, ‘Raven’s Chasing the Moon,’ captivated both Mike and me at first sight. The composition, vivid colors, and enchanting story will sparkle in the morning sun, delighting passersby. Sarah has masterfully woven her tribal Salish and Cowlitz heritage into a modern masterpiece. We are thrilled about her work and honored that she has chosen Altitude 15 Food Hall & Culinary Co-op as its backdrop.”
Neighbor Sam Dinsmore is a chef who has a restaurant called, “The Reef” right around the corner from this mural. “I have always loved seeing the beautiful and creative mural work in downtown Olympia. It is really exciting to see another gorgeous piece being put together on our block for the community to enjoy,”Dinsmore said.
Olympia has a growing number of arts organizations that are dedicated to funding public art and supporting artists. Desiree Freeland, co-chair of the Olympia Artspace Alliance said, “Public Indigenous art is more than powerful imagery, it is a tool that helps to tell the story of this region’s first peoples. The Olympia Artspace Alliance is thrilled to see artists receive funding to do the important work of storytelling. It is exciting to witness other arts organizations, like Rainbow Community Arts, develop projects that hold creative communities up and provide access for artists to engage with meaningful opportunities.”
If the excitement generated by the painting process is any indication, this mural has already become one of the beloved touchstones in our community. And Folden says it is not done, “I hope to continue with work in this region to lift up the stories of our ancestors, especially to illuminate the historic Cowlitz Trail which created the foundation of our tribal relationships as traders and trade with all of the regional tribes.”
What
Ravens Mural
Where
25 State Ave., Olympia (Franklin Street side of Altitude 15)
Sponsors
Rainbow Community Arts Olympia, Altitude 15, Anna Schlecht, anonymous donor and Old School Pizzeria
Artists
Sarah Folden, Jenee Redecker-Burnett along with youth apprentices: Adam Penn, Angelina Smart-Weber, Ayla Williams-Weber, Corbin Jones and Lola Lains e Silva.
Dedication
September 21, 2024